RIYADH: The Saudi International Falcons and Hunting Exhibition 2024 opened its door Friday to visitors in Malham, north of Riyadh, showcasing a blend of tradition and modernity.
Running for 10 days under the theme “a world that resembles you,” the mega event has drawn over 400 exhibitors from 45 countries.
Organized by the Saudi Falcons Club, this year’s exhibition marks a significant expansion, occupying 160,000 square meters and featuring a diverse array of attractions.
In a groundbreaking move, it hosts the Kingdom’s first platform for selling hunting weapons, with Saudi companies representing more than 55 global brands, alongside special and rare editions for hunting enthusiasts. The event also provides real and virtual hunting experiences.
Waleed Al-Taweel, spokesperson of the Saudi Falcons Club, emphasized the exhibition’s role in preserving cultural heritage.
“We are not just showcasing falconry, we are sustaining a legacy,” he stated, highlighting the falcon’s symbolic importance in Saudi culture as an emblem of courage and pride.
He emphasized that the exhibition highlights falcons, hunting, and related hobbies to revive this ancient Saudi legacy, in line with Saudi Vision 2030’s goal of showcasing and sustaining Saudi heritage and enhancing its role in cultural tourism both domestically and internationally.
Visitors can engage in a wide range of activities, offering hands-on insights into falcon husbandry and training.
Attendees can explore a vast marketplace where hundreds of vendors display state-of-the-art falconry gear, innovative technologies, and specialized dietary products for these prized birds.
A notable addition this year is the Future Falconer Program, designed to introduce children to the art of falconry through interactive and educational activities.
The exhibition also includes an outdoor cooking demonstration area, the Shalayel Digital Museum, a photography exhibition, a live fine art gallery, an area for arts, handicrafts, and sculpture, interactive games, and remote-controlled aircraft shows.
Adventure seekers can enjoy 4x4 vehicle experiences, equestrian shows, and drone demonstrations.
The organizers have made the event accessible to all, with free entry daily from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
